Luigi

Luigi
Artwork for Super Mario Party Jamboree
Full name	Luigi Mario
First appearance	Mario Bros. (Game & Watch) (1983)
Latest appearance	Mario Kart World (2025)
Species	Human
Gender	Male

Luigi is one of the main characters in the Mario franchise. He is the younger twin brother of Mario. Luigi first appeared in the Game & Watch title Mario Bros., then more notably in a different arcade game of the same title, where Luigi is playable by the second player only, a role he went on to fulfill in many of his appearances up to the mid-1990s, notably in a few 2D titles of the Super Mario series: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario World. Luigi has appeared in many Mario games, usually to accompany Mario, but he is the starring character in a few games, including Mario is Missing! and the Luigi's Mansion series.

Due to software limitations at the time, Luigi initially had the same design as Mario but with a predominantly green color scheme. As technology improved, Luigi changed physically, becoming taller and thinner than Mario. Luigi's personality has also developed, especially around the release of the Nintendo GameCube title Luigi's Mansion, where he is shown to be cowardly and nervous, but he overcomes these traits to become heroic when needed. Waluigi is his arch-rival, but this is mainly because Waluigi is jealous of Luigi's triumphs. Luigi has sometimes had a friendly rivalry with his brother Mario.

Luigi sometimes has a later introduction in a game, including as an unlockable character. He directs the credits in a few games, including Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Paper Mario.

Luigi was formerly voiced by Charles Martinet, who also portrayed Mario, Wario, Waluigi, and several other Mario characters. Before Martinet was established as Luigi's main voice actor, Julien Bardakoff voiced Luigi in the Japanese Mario Kart 64 (reused in Mario Kart: Super Circuit), Mario Party, Mario Party 2, and Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle. In late 2023, Martinet retired, and Luigi has since had Kevin Afghani as his main voice actor.

Luigi is the first Mario character with a year dedicated to him, 2013, titled The Year of Luigi, featuring video games and promotions focused on Luigi, as well as being a sales campaign for the console.

History

Mario Bros.

Mario and Luigi in the arcade game Mario Bros.

Luigi appears in the arcade game Mario Bros., helping Mario try to eliminate pests like Sidesteppers and Shellcreepers from the sewers. Luigi is playable by only the second player, but he plays identically to Mario.

Super Mario series

Super Mario Bros.

In Super Mario Bros., Luigi is only playable by the second player and has the same abilities as Mario, like in Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. 2 (Japan)

While the Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2 is a single-player game, it is the first where the first player can play as Luigi, whom they can select by choosing the "LUIGI GAME" option on the title screen instead of "MARIO GAME." It is also the first where Luigi shows gameplay differences, having higher jumps and lower traction.

Super Mario Bros. 2

In Super Mario Bros. 2, Luigi is one of four playable characters. He replaces Mama from Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, incidentally giving him the same higher jumping abilities as in the Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2. Luigi also runs slower and has less traction.

Super Mario Bros. 3

In Super Mario Bros. 3, Luigi is playable by the second player only.

Super Mario World

In Super Mario World, Luigi is the second player's character once more. He is a palette swap of Mario in the original game, though the re-release on Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World depicts Luigi with different sprites. Furthermore, the Game Boy Advance remake Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 retains Luigi's distinct characteristics of being able to jump higher, this time scuttling as he does, although his traction is lower than Mario's.

Super Mario 64 DS

Artwork for Super Mario 64 DS

Luigi does not appear in the original Super Mario 64, although there is an unused model of him in the game's source code. Luigi was believed to be unlockable because a common urban legend suggested that a sign on a fountain in the Courtyard reads "L is Real 2401."

Luigi appears in the remake, Super Mario 64 DS, as one of four playable characters, along with Yoshi, Mario, and Wario; like the latter two, Luigi has to be rescued first. His unique ability granted by a Power Flower is invisibility, also giving him the ability to pass through walls. Luigi has lower traction than Mario, but he can both move and swim faster than the other characters. Luigi also has one of the highest jumps, along with Yoshi.

In the intro, Luigi arrives at the Castle Grounds from his own Warp Pipe, much like Mario and Wario, suggesting that he has been invited to the Mushroom Castle for some cake, even though Mario is addressed in Peach's letter specifically.

Later, Luigi is trapped behind a painting in Big Boo Battle, an area of Big Boo's Haunt. To unlock Luigi, Mario must defeat Big Boo at the end of Big Boo Battle to obtain the L Key and then use it to unlock Luigi's switching room.

Luigi has to later rescue Wario in Chief Chilly Challenge, which is accessible only by Luigi using a Power Flower to pass through a mirror in the Mushroom Castle and then into the Wario painting on the other side.

New Super Mario Bros.

In New Super Mario Bros., Luigi is a playable character in both the main Adventure mode and the two-player competitive Mario vs. Luigi mode. To play as Luigi in the main mode, the player must select a save file while holding the L and R buttons and then press the A button. If done correctly, a sound effect of Luigi saying his name plays.

Super Mario Galaxy

Luigi appears in Super Mario Galaxy as an unlockable character. He and the Toad Brigade are later revealed to have been inside of Peach's Castle when Bowser stole it. Although Luigi and the Toad Brigade managed to escape, they ended up lost in space.

Luigi is imprisoned in the Ghostly Galaxy, where the first mission, Luigi and the Haunted Mansion, involves having to rescue Luigi. After being rescued, Luigi goes off on his own to look for some Power Stars.

After the player collects 120 Super Stars and defeats Bowser a final time, they have to complete the entire process again, but this time with Luigi. Luigi retains some of his differences from Mario of being able to run faster, having lower traction, and jumping both higher and farther than Mario. Furthermore, Luigi runs out of air quicker while underwater.

There are two Luigi models in the game: one playable and the other non-playable. The non-playable Luigi is taller and slightly darker in color. When the non-playable Luigi is rescued by Luigi for the first time, he says goodbye to the playable Luigi, stating that he is someone who looks like him. After the non-playable Luigi is rescued three times, he refers to the playable Luigi as "me."

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Luigi appears in New Super Mario Bros. Wii as one of the main characters, alongside Mario, Yellow Toad, and Blue Toad. In any mode, player one is Mario and player two can choose between the other three characters. However, Luigi can be played with only one player in Super Guide mode, where the player can press the + button to take control of Luigi. Luigi has the same skills and abilities as Mario and the Toads.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

Luigi appears in Super Mario Galaxy 2, where he often teams up with Mario and Yoshi to save the universe from being ruled by Bowser, and to retrieve Power Stars.

As a playable character, Luigi is controlled the same way as in Super Mario Galaxy and is unlockable oncem ore. Luigi can be found at the start of certain galaxies, where Mario can optionally talk to Luigi to have him play through the mission instead. Additionally, completing a mission as Luigi unlocks a ghost of him whom the player can race against as they aim for the best time.

If the player uses the Co-Star Luma to spin in front of Luigi when he appears in a galaxy, he releases several Star Bits.

Super Mario 3D Land

Luigi is an unlockable character in Super Mario 3D Land, much like in Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel. This time, Luigi can be unlocked at Special 1-Castle, after defeating Dry Bowser and reaching the Goal Pole at the end. From hereon, the player can play as Luigi by tapping the "L" emblem on the Touch Screen while on the world map.

Luigi does not have many gameplay differences from Mario, other than his running style and Tanooki Suit outfit.

New Super Mario Bros. 2

In New Super Mario Bros. 2, the player can choose to play as Luigi by holding L and R and then pressing A to select a save file, just as in New Super Mario Bros. In the added simultaneous co-op multiplayer mode, the first and second player can play as either Mario or Luigi each, meaning the other player plays as the other character.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

In New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Luigi is one of the main characters, along with Mario, Blue Toad, and Yellow Toad, as well as Toadette in the enhanced port. Luigi does not have any distinct abilities from the other characters, as they basically jump just as high and run just as fast.

New Super Luigi U

A Luigi sighting in Piranha Heights in New Super Luigi U

In New Super Luigi U, Luigi is one of the main characters, along with Blue Toad, Yellow Toad, and Nabbit, with the latter replacing Mario. Unlike New Super Mario Bros. U, Luigi has the same abilities as in Super Mario Bros. 2, including higher jumps, lower traction, and slower movement.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Fury Shadow, a species resembling Luigi, in Bowser's Fury

In Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Luigi is one of the playable characters. He retains his abilities from Super Mario Bros. 2, having higher jumps and slower movement, just as Mario, Peach, and Toad retain their respetive abilities.

In Bowser's Fury, Luigi is not a playable character, as Mario arrives alone in that world. However, on some islands is a Fury Shadow, who resembles Luigi, and he must be chased to be defeated.

Super Mario Maker

In Super Mario Maker, Luigi does not appear as a playable character directly, but if the player uses their Luigi amiibo, a Mystery Mushroom that turns Mario into Luigi appears.

Super Mario Run

In Super Mario Run, Luigi is an unlockable character who has the same abilities as in Super Mario Bros. 2. To unlock Luigi, the player must go to the Toad Shop in My Kingdom, in the Special section, and purchase Luigi's house, once they have obtained 150 Green Toads and 150 Purple Toads through Toad Rally.

Super Mario Odyssey

Luigi hosts Balloon World in Super Mario Odyssey

In Super Mario Odyssey, Luigi is not a playable character, but his outfit can still be purchased and he manages Balloon World. Luigi's reaction to Mario varies depending on which outfit Mario is wearing. Luigi's minigame is based on choosing a balloon to pop. Luigi provides a time limit to complete the balloon-popping challenge. Luigi gives coins as a reward for popping the balloons, and he occasionally runs promotions so Mario does not have to pay as many coins to play.

Super Mario Maker 2

In Super Mario Maker 2, Luigi is one of the four playable characters, with the other three being Mario, Blue Toad, and Toadette. Luigi nor any of the other playable characters have distinct abilities from one another.

Mario Is Missing!

Luigi had his first starring role in the edutainment title Mario Is Missing!, where Luigi travels the world, answering trivia questions along the way, while searching for Mario.

Yoshi's Island series

Main article: Baby Luigi

Luigi does not appear as an adult in the Yoshi's Island series, but he is featured as a baby. In the games Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Yoshi's Island DS and Yoshi's New Island, Baby Luigi is kidnapped by Kamek's Toadies, so Baby Mario and the Yoshis go on an adventure to save him.

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U artwork of Luigi

Luigi is an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. His fighting style is similar to Mario's, but he jumps higher and has less physical attack power than Mario (though his special attacks are more powerful and hit differently).

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Luigi is once again unlockable. He has been changed to further differentiate from Mario, such as from staying in the air longer and having lower traction. Luigi has the least traction, so he is the most likely to perform a rapid movement technique called wavedashing effectively.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Luigi returns as a hidden character. In Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary, Luigi teams up with Ness and King Dedede to return the fighters to normal and to save the World of Trophies from Tabuu. In gameplay, Luigi has mostly the same moves as in Super Smash Bros. Melee, but with a few minor changes, such as surpassing Mario by potentially knocking out opponents from any type of attack.

Luigi reappears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as a playable character. His appearance was revealed on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Luigi resembles his appearance in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, while in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, his graphics are more developed and at a brighter tone than in previous installments.

Luigi also appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Moves

• Green Fireball: The move almost the same as Mario's Fireball, except Luigi shoots green-colored fireballs that move in a straight horizontal line instead of bounce off of the ground like Mario's fireballs.
• Green Missile: Luigi launches himself like a missile, similar to Pikachu's Skull Bash move, and the distance traveled by Luigi depends on how long the move is charged; there is a roughly a 1 in 8 chance of Luigi propelling himself in a more explosive manner. The move first appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
• Luigi Cyclone: Like Mario Tornado, Luigi spins himself around, damaging opponents caught within.
• Super Jump Punch: Luigi performs a typical jump from the Super Mario series to either recover from a fall or to attack. In later installments, the move has become a more vertical attack, so if the attack does not land directly, it only delivers one hit, leaving Luigi vulnerable. If Super Jump Punch is used near an opponent and inflicts a good enough hit, Luigi sends the opponent flying upward in a powerful jet of fire. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, after Luigi performs the move, he falls face down, plummeting to the ground.
• Negative Zone: This is Luigi's Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl only. Upon using the move, Luigi creates a sphere of light and begins to dance, damaging any opponents within range. After he is done dancing, the characters inside the sphere suffer various negative effects (falling asleep, slipping, slowing down, losing energy, and having flowers to appear on their heads).

Paper Mario series

Luigi appears as a secondary non-playable secondary character in both Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. In the former, Luigi is in his house, where he has a diary hidden within the basement, on which he writes about Mario's adventures. In the latter, Luigi has his own adventure parallel to Mario, whom he tells of his adventures whenever the two meet.

In Super Paper Mario, Luigi is a secondary playable character, but before Luigi can be played, the player must defeat his villainous alter-ego, Mr. L, who is under the mental control of Count Bleck. In the final level, Luigi has to be fought again because Dimentio has controlled and transformed him into a giant clown puppet named Super Dimentio.

Luigi's Mansion

Luigi's first major starring role is in Luigi's Mansion, where he goes through a haunted mansion on a journey to save Mario from King Boo. He is assisted by an elderly professor named Professor E. Gadd. Aside from starting with a flashlight, Luigi is also equipped with the Poltergust 3000, a vacuum cleaner designed to catch ghosts, and the Game Boy Horror, a communication device, soon after starting his journey.

When Luigi uses the Game Boy Horror, it is possible for the player to read his thoughts while examining things. For instance, if Luigi looks at Toad in the foyer, he says that he thinks Toads' spots are cute.

Mario & Luigi series

Luigi co-stars with Mario as one of the two titular heroes of the Mario & Luigi series, where both brothers work side by side.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Luigi and Mario have to work together save Princess Peach from Cackletta and Fawful. Luigi and Mario travel to the Beanbean Kingdom and have to find the Beanstar to thwart Cackletta's plans.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the Shroob, a species of sinister aliens led by Princess Shroob, have conquered the Mushroom Kingdom in the past and kidnapped Princess Peach, taking her back in time. Luigi and Mario both time-travel to the past, where they team up with their baby counterparts, Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, to stop the Shroobs.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Luigi appears at Peach's Castle during a meeting about the blorbs epidemic, although he falls asleep. Luigi is later inhaled by Bowser, along with the others at the castle. Luigi and Mario explore Bowser's body with their own sidekick, Starlow. The group frees Toadsworth and Toadbert along the way before attempting to with Peach. Throughout the adventure, Bowser is unaware that Mario and Luigi are helping him stop Fawful's plans, and later to free Peach, whom Fawful had kidnapped to awaken the Dark Star. After a long journey, Mario, Luigi, and Bowser face off against Dark Fawful, a stronger form of Fawful, ​​and Dark Bowser, a form of the Dark Star.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

Luigi has an even larger role in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team. Part of the game involves traveling to Luigi's Dream World and meeting his counterpart there, Dreamy Luigi. Mario and Dreamy Luigi must cooperate within the Dream World and learn all the uses and forms Luigi can take in his dreams. Bowser also teams up with Antasma to steal the Dream Stone and take over Pi'illo Island, and both of them also kidnap Peach. With the help of Starlow and Dreambert, Luigi and Mario have to face the two villains.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

Luigi and Mario co-star in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, this time along with Paper Mario.

Other appearances

In Wrecking Crew, Luigi is the second player.

In the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film, Luigi is portrayed by John Leguizamo, and both his appearance and personality are different. He no longer has a mustache, looks younger, is the same height as his brother, wears a backwards cap of a different design, and, unlike in the games, is brave and daring.

Luigi is playable in every game of the Mario Party series.

In Mario Tennis for the Nintendo 64, Luigi receives a rival, Waluigi, who has appeared in several Mario spinoff titles, but not in any mainline Mario games.

Luigi is a team captain in Super Mario Strikers, Mario Strikers Charged, and Mario Strikers: Battle League.

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Luigi is also a playable character.

Trivia

• His name could be due to the fact that it sounds very similar to the similar Japanese word ruiji, which means similar.
• In Mario Kart 8, if Luigi is holding a shell or looking at another racer, he does an angry face, which fans have dubbed "Luigi's death stare".
• In Paper Mario: Color Splash, to reach Bowser's Castle, Mario is driven by Luigi in his kart, and once they arrive, Huey tells Luigi to use his "mean stare" to scare away any of Bowser's henchmen, a direct reference to the "Luigi's death stare" meme.
• In Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee, Luigi has a higher pitched variation of Mario's sound effects because Luigi's distinct character was not established as much at the time.
• Furthermore, Luigi has the only taunt in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee that can damage opponents, though at only 1% damage, and it can also function as a meteor smash.
• In Mario Party, it is implied that within the group: Mario, Peach, Wario, Yoshi and Donkey Kong; he is the smartest.

External links

• Luigi on the Mario Wiki (in Spanish)
• Luigi on Smashpedia (in Spanish)

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